Landscaper Elsah

Title: Landscaper

Department/Location: Facilities Department, Principia College            

Position Type: Full-time, 12-month

Summary

The Landscaper supports the safe, functional, and attractive condition of Principia College’s campus by performing grounds care, landscape maintenance, seasonal cleanup, snow and ice removal, event support, and routine upkeep of grounds and landscaping equipment. This position must be available to serve as essential personnel during emergencies or operational needs, including holidays, weekends, and early morning and/or late-night work when wind, snow, or ice is forecast.

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of Alumni & Friends. 

At Principia College, our globally-focused curriculum honors diverse perspectives and develops creative changemakers who use their academic skills for good in service to themselves, their communities, and the world. In-depth study meets real-world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and a robust slate of student activities, including a world-renowned mediation team, top-ranked solar car team, and the nation’s oldest student-run public affairs conference.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities 

• Maintains College grounds, including mowing and trimming grass, raking leaves and grass, and performing routine cleanup of outdoor areas
• Cleans debris from gutters and drainage systems on college buildings
• Removes vegetation away from campus roads, road shoulders and edges, parking lots, and other paved outdoor areas, including routine cleanup and seasonal support
• Performs routine cleaning, inspection, maintenance, and upkeep of grounds and landscaping equipment and tools
• Performs routine and seasonal grounds cleanup, including leaf removal, storm debris cleanup, dead plant material removal, trash and debris removal, recycling support, and preparation of outdoor areas for seasonal changes
• Supports campus events by assisting with outdoor setup and takedown, tent support, and related cleanup
• Maintains College landscaping, including weeding flower beds and areas around shrubs and trees; removing dead branches, trees, and shrubs; pruning and maintaining trees; and inspecting trees for pest and disease damage
• Removes snow and ice using power snow blowers, tractors, skid steers, chemical ice melt, UTV and truck-mounted plows, shovels, walk-behind spreaders, and/or ice scrapers
• Plants, transplants, waters, fertilizes, mulches, and maintains flowers, shrubs, trees, grass, and ground cover to support healthy and attractive landscaped areas
• Assists with irrigation system operation, inspection, minor repairs, and water-use adjustments to promote plant health and reduce waste
• Edges sidewalks, curbs, flower beds, and other landscaped borders to maintain a neat, professional appearance
• Applies fertilizers, soil amendments, herbicides, or pesticides only when properly trained, authorized, and in accordance with applicable safety procedures and regulations
• Provides support to other Facilities Department areas as directed

Special Requirements

• Must meet the physical requirements of the position, including the ability to lift up to 80 lbs., carry up to 70 lbs., climb ladders, assist with moving 40-foot ladders, stand and walk for extended periods, work on uneven terrain, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, pull, and operate hand and power tools and grounds equipment in varying outdoor weather conditions
• Must be accessible and available to serve as essential personnel during emergencies or as needed to meet the College’s ongoing operational needs, including holidays, weekends, and early morning and/or late-night work when snow or ice is forecast

Core Competencies

• Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes. 
• Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals
• Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes
• Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, high-quality work; consistently seeks ways to improve systems, processes, and results
• Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment

Minimum Qualifications

• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements
• High school diploma or GED required; education and/or experience in horticulture, groundskeeping, landscaping, or sports-field management preferred
• Current, valid Illinois driver’s license required; commercial driver’s license preferred

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia. 

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary range for this position commensurate with experience and qualifications.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded). 
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. 

Equal Opportunity 

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status. 

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.